General

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14 March 2016

CitySprint, with its national network of 30+ Service Centres, has also delivered J&C Joel's drapes, fabrics, tracking and stage machinery to various locations across the country.

Maxine Hickey, domestic despatch manager for J&C Joel, says: "We trust the CitySprint team to be there especially when time is of the essence. Some courier companies will fob you off with what you want to hear rather than the truth. But with CitySprint's CourierLocator technology there is total transparency; all I need to do is lo

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14 March 2016

Avolites' will also introduce Aziz Adilkhodjaev a new member of the technical sales team. A fluent Russian speaker with a background in engineering, mobile telecoms and business administration, Adilkhodjaev's presence at the show underlines Avolites commitment to Eastern European markets, says the company.

Many of the technical support documents have been translated into Russian and Adilkhodjaev is also a media server specialist, offering integration support for the constant stream of emerging video technologies.

(Jim Eva

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14 March 2016

As theatre practitioners in a teaching environment, school theatre staff can be in a unique and isolated situation, outside of regular theatre, but with the same intentions, products, rules and problems. The group currently has nearly 100 members from a wide range of independent and state schools, colleges and universities around the country, allowing members to share ideas and problems specific to school theatres, as well as raising awareness of school theatre work amongst fellow professionals.

The conference was organised by Paul Durose of The Leys School, Cambridge, and was hosted by Rugby Schoo

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14 March 2016

Courses are available on a wide range of subjects including rigging, sound, stage lighting, working from heights, moving lights and the ever popular pyrotechnics safety awareness. New courses for 2008 include Introduction to Sound Training, Advanced Moving Lights Training and Legislative Guide to Rigging.

Stage Electrics' training manager Sara Alarabi comments, "Our January courses sold out in record time, I think this is a clear indication that the requirement for formal, structured training within the industry is increasing. Our courses are designed as a direct result of what our customers have asked us for. They are constantly evolving driven by latest technology and le

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14 March 2016

Two training sessions will be held on the day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each catering for up to 10 engineers. At each session, following an initial technical presentation, the 10 will be divided into two groups of five, each with access to their own Vi6, so that every attendee is assured of some properly supervised hands-on time with the console.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

On the subject of the Middle East, the region continues to grow as a serious marketplace for our industries. Serious Stages, working with Atlantic Enterprises, saw one of their Space Roof buildings air freighted from East Midlands Airport to Saudi Arabia for a foundation stone laying ceremony to launch KAUST - the SR10 billion King Abdullah University of Science and Techno

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14 March 2016

Ame Strong, Rosco's colour filter product manager says, "I am impressed at how easy it is to apply for a grant by simply downloading an Application from the website and also how quickly the grant applications are reviewed. It is wonderful that our industry is helping colleagues with doctor bills, health insurance payments, saving homes, and putting food on the table, as well as helping widows when they are suddenly alone. And I'm proud that Rosco's commitment is a gift that will continue far int

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14 March 2016

Andre Gilbert, president of Orion Software comments: "I am very proud to receive this prestigious award on behalf of our development team who have worked hard to create great software! Being voted as the most innovative Rental Software in the industry encourages us to stri

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14 March 2016

Meyer Sound's expansion plans for its operations in Germany is another welcome indicator that the German economy is easing intro better shape after a long time in the doldrums. It has not been without its problems - social and economic - since the heady days of re-unification but it's looking healthy now. And Meyer can expect stiff competition

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14 March 2016

Robert Keys of Tenon Recovery was appointed joint administrator of the company by the High Court last month. "This move effectively bubble wraps the company to protect it from its creditors and give it some breathing space in which to sort out its affairs," says Keys.

The administrators are in talks with potential purchasers of the company and its constituent parts and report some interest from within the industry.

There are three levels of creditors - chargeholders such as banks that have issued secured loans, employees and general trade creditors. How much anyone gets will be determined by how much the company or its parts are sold for.

Marquee Audio mana

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14 March 2016

Located in Montreal North, the new facilities are 24,000sq.ft (2,300sq.m); essentially three times larger than their previous location. The new building has been completely designed to optimise MDG's production line and answer the accelerated growth that the company has known for several years, say the company. The fog generator manufacturer will also be hiring additional staff, who will work at these premises, on "state of the art technologies".

MDG'S customers will be the first to benefit from this expansion, which will allow the company to increase its efforts in R & D for new products. They will have at their disposal a vast showroom where they will be able to appreciate all equipment made available to them by MDG, be it the fog generators or

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14 March 2016

This latest award crowns French company ECA2 and Dentsu's collaboration with the world's leading car maker Toyota, for which Yves Pépin and his team had previously produced the Toyota Pavilion at the 2005 Aichi World Expo - an achievement that received the Best Live Event accolade at the 2007 THEA Awards, the most prestigious honours in the global experience industry.

In addition, the Songs of the Sea show in Singapore was in January named Best Tourist Attraction in Southeast Asia by the ASEAN Tourism Forum. This large-scale fantasy spectacular, devised and produced by ECA

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14 March 2016

A company statement says: "Vickie always had a warm smile and an easy laugh to share with all of us when we would meet on occasions such as LDI or other industry events. Vickie saw the employees at Altman Lighting and its customers as family and friends. She enjoyed talking about the history of the industry and always had a story to share having spent many years working with Charlie and Alice Altman learning the business.

"Vickie met Bob when she was just 15 years old and he was only 16. Together for 38 years, they ran Altman Lighting and raised a family. Vickie was always generous of heart and was particularly

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14 March 2016

"Coming to work for Theatre Projects is the perfect evolution in my career," says Sweet. I'm extremely excited to be a part of this incredible team of people."

Sweet joins TPC after seven years as technical director at the RiverCenter. Prior to RiverCenter, he worked as a national freelance rigger and spent multiple years as the production operations stage manager for the Palace Theater in Myrtle Beach, SC.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

Meyer Sound has announced that professional audio veteran Dave 'Wiggy' Wiggins has joined the company as its director of marketing for Europe. In this newly created position, Wiggins will be responsible for planning and executing strategic marketing efforts and will work closely with Meyer Sound's marketing department in Berkeley and with the sales force throughout Europe.

Meanwhile, another major North American loudspeaker specialist is ramping up its European activities - Toronto-based Adamson has launched Adamson Scandinavia, so expect some serious marketing activity there.

In Italy, The organisers of Show-Way 2008, the new trade show whi

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14 March 2016

"Isaac was a valued member of our team, as well as a truly kind individual who was always ready to help those around him," said Chuck Davies, president of the American DJ Group of Companies. "His skill, talent and warm, friendly personality will be greatly missed by all of us at American DJ."

"We've lost a great co-worker and a great friend," said Scott Davies, general manager of the American DJ Group. "Isaac made valuable contributions to our company

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14 March 2016

As one venue opens, another closes...Just a week after the news broke that the Marquee Club had closed, another long-standing London venue, The Astoria in Charing Cross Road, looks certain to close. London's mayor, Ken Livingston told The Times that it would be demolished to make way for the Cross Rail project which has finally been given the green light. An Internet-based petition to save The Astoria has attracted some big name signatures, but it's probably too late.

Looking on the bright side, though, the Cross Rail project should offer great opportunities for the installation sectors of our industry to get a slic

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14 March 2016

In August 2006, aged 51, Chris Venn a prominent freelance production manager, working for many of the high profile communications and production companies of the last 25 years, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. There is currently is no long-term cure for this type of cancer, because the level of research funding in to this specific area is relatively poor. Sadly, after 13 months, Chris lost his battle in September last year, the same year that another industry colleague, freelance logistics manager Howard Kerr, was diagnosed with the same disease.

As Howard nears the 12-month mark since his diagnosis, he and his industry colleagues have begun to put

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14 March 2016

The new SmartSoft Edition is available through Capture Sweden's dealer network and can be evaluated for free by downloading the demo version at Capture Sweden's website.

(Lee Baldock)

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14 March 2016

Unit 2 Riverside Business Centre, 55 Bendon Valley, Wandsworth, London SW18 4LZ.

The phone and fax numbers remain the same and the company hopes to have a new website up and running by the end of March. A company statement says: "We look forward to providing our customers with the same high quality lighting solutions from our new home."

(Claire Beeson)

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14 March 2016

5 Star worked closely with Pioneer's Paul Beardsall on the design of the new case which although identical in size to the 2006 version, includes some additional features.

(Jim Evans)

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14 March 2016

While on matters sporting, the Beijing Olympics are fast approaching. The torch has been lit and is now on its way round the world. Politics and boycotts permitting, the Games will no doubt provide a fine showcase for manufacturers and integrators who are also already casting their eyes towards the London Olymp

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14 March 2016

"After my long and wonderful career at the Metropolitan Opera joining one of the finest theatre consulting companies is both logical and very exciting," states Volpe.

Richard Pilbrow, founder of Theatre Projects, states: "It is a tremendous privilege for me to welcome Joe to the Theatre Projects team. His rise at the Met from carpenter to general manager very much parallels our own, from backstage technicians to designing many of the world's most significant performing arts spaces. Our record of innovative and ground breaking theatre buildings will be enhanced by Joe's knowledge and experience in their operations. Joe will prove to be a powerful ally in our development."

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14 March 2016

Level 1 training (12 May) is designed to give new users the ability to move around and work with the grandMA, grandMA light or grandMA ultra light consoles. Level 2 training (13-14 May) is designed to bring existing moving light and conventional lighting console operators to a competent level on those consoles.

"We are very excited to be able to work with MA Lighting in this way," commented Glamorgan's Stuart Green. "The University recognise the importance of training industry technicians and